2015 Domaine Pichat Côte-Rôtie Le Champon's

Bought up in 30% new barrels, the 2015 Côte Rôtie Champon’s sports a deep inky color as well as sensational notes of blackberries, plums, crushed rocks and smoked meats. Voluptuous, broad and expansive on the palate, with full-bodied richness, it's one seriously sexy, ripe, opulent beauty to drink anytime over the coming 10-15 years. This tiny, family run estate has come on like gangbusters over the past 4-5 years and are now fashioning some of the finest wines in Côte Rôtie.

The 2015 Cote Rotie Champon's is a full-bodied, turbocharged wine, loaded with fruit, extract and tannin. Hints of graham cracker frame tapenade notes on the nose, while the flavors feature no-holds-barred layers of black fruit and power. It's long and velvety on the finish, and while it may take 5 or so years to completely soften, it should drink well for at least a decade after that.

Inky ruby. Smoke-accented dark berry and violet aromas show good clarity and pick up a minerally accent with air. Fleshy and broad on entry and then more taut in the middle, offering juicy black currant and bitter cherry flavors and a sweetening touch of candied violet. The mineral note adds vivacity to the gently tannic and persistent finish, which leaves a suggestion of blueberry behind.